7 comments:

I'm working on a blanket made up of different strips. After each strip, I make a pair of mittens, just in case the blanket takes too long.

Then there's a sweater started several drives back. I didn't finish it on time, then when I got back to it, I started working with a different size hook. I backed up and restarted but was feeling too bummed out to finish. I need to get back to that.

Hi E, I am not sure that lack of response to your terrific yarn offer was because everyone has enough wool for a4A. The blog has been very inactive during our summer break, and most registered members are probably not checking in to see postings. Sometime this week, I will send an email to our whole a4A email list to remind people to check out the blog. Thanks, Ann

To Afghan Ann, I think your email last week to all members/friends has inspired people to get started again. Just started this season's third sweater using Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool (8 oz.-465 yd.) and a basic pattern from 1941 from the Red Cross asking people to knit for refuges in Europe. Can't even remember where I found this pattern, but it is interesting.

We have a Red Cross history page on our website with a link to some of the old patterns for background information --

http://www.afghansforafghans.org/red_cross.html

(I do need to update some of the links on this page.)

We received permission to post this information when we launched in 2001. I had contacted the Red Cross Museum, and their curator at the time -- Tom Goehner - was thrilled to know that people were interested in his material. He went into their archives for us.

Earlier this year, when I was in DC and arranged an a4A get-together at the Textile Museum, turns out that Tom Goehner had moved on to be the Textile Museum's education curator. We had a good time with Tom. Elizabeth was with us, too!

We're all certainly part of this long tradition of knitting for others during wartime.

THE BASICS

afghans for Afghans is a people-to-people project that knits and crochets wool garments as a practical gesture of friendship and respect for the people of Afghanistan. In partnership with the San Francisco office of the American Friends Service Committee, our project started in late 2001 in response to the war that unfolded after 9/11. This follows a long-time tradition of knitting for others at times of war and crisis. Afghan families still need to know that we care. Join us here for camaraderie, inspiration, and mutual support with projects.

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Send an email to sfmammamia at g mail dot com for permission to post. If you don't get a note back, check your spam folder. The more, the merrier!

Long-time community knitter Elizabeth Durand is our moderator. Be sure to introduce yourself!